Trump’s expanded ICE operations surge nationwide under GOP tax and spending law

WASHINGTON (JN) – President Donald Trump’s pledge to carry out the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history is rapidly reshaping immigration enforcement, driven by billions of dollars unlocked through a sweeping Republican-backed tax and spending law. The legislation has transformed Immigration and Customs Enforcement into a far larger and more visible national force, extending its reach well beyond border regions into major U.S. cities.

The expansion marks a significant shift in how immigration policy is executed in the United States. While illegal border crossings have fallen sharply, aggressive interior enforcement—enabled by unprecedented funding levels—is placing federal immigration officers at the center of domestic political debate, protests, and legal scrutiny.

At the heart of the transformation is money. With few restraints on how the funds are deployed through the end of the decade, the scale and permanence of the buildup are only beginning to register with the public.

ICE budget grows into a national law enforcement force

The Republican tax and spending package, signed into law during Trump’s second term, has effectively doubled funding for the Department of Homeland Security over four years, adding roughly $170 billion in new spending. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which historically operated on about $10 billion annually, received an additional $30 billion for operations and $45 billion for detention infrastructure.

That funding has allowed ICE to launch a rapid expansion of its workforce. The agency has more than doubled its ranks in a matter of months, reaching about 22,000 officers nationwide. Recruitment incentives include signing bonuses of up to $50,000, an unusually high figure for federal law enforcement.

Budget analysts say the scope of the buildup is comparable to defense spending rather than civilian policing. Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress, said the scale of ICE’s growth is unprecedented in the agency’s history and not widely understood by the public.

The administration argues the expansion is necessary to restore order to the immigration system and enforce existing law. Critics counter that ICE is evolving into a de facto national police force with limited civilian oversight.

Enforcement shifts from border to cities

The administration points to a steep decline in illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border as evidence of success. The drop follows years of elevated migration during the previous administration, when millions were allowed temporary entry while their cases were processed.

As border activity has slowed, enforcement resources have increasingly shifted inward. Federal immigration officers are now a routine presence in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis, conducting arrests far from ports of entry.

Images circulating on television and social media show armed officers, sometimes masked, detaining individuals in public spaces, pulling people from vehicles, and making arrests in residential neighborhoods. The operations often involve coordination with other federal agencies, as well as state and local law enforcement working under Homeland Security agreements.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has defended the operations, urging Democrats to avoid what he described as interference with federal law enforcement. Administration officials insist the focus remains on serious criminal offenders.

Protests, political backlash, and public opinion

The expanded operations have triggered protests in several cities, particularly after a fatal shooting involving federal officers in Minneapolis. Demonstrations have drawn a heavy security response, and Trump has renewed public threats to invoke the Insurrection Act if unrest escalates. The U.S. Army has confirmed that 1,500 troops are on standby.

Despite immigration being one of Trump’s strongest political issues, public support appears to be eroding. An AP-NORC poll shows his approval rating on immigration has declined since the start of his second term.

Democratic lawmakers say voters did not anticipate the scope of interior enforcement now unfolding. Representative Nydia Velázquez of New York said constituents are alarmed by what they are seeing and question whether the administration has exceeded its mandate.

Legal concerns and disputed targeting claims

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said ICE officers are operating within the law and targeting what officials describe as the most dangerous offenders. However, media and civil rights reports indicate that non-criminal immigrants—and in some cases U.S. citizens—have been detained during operations.

Legal concerns have intensified since a Supreme Court ruling last year lifted restrictions on using race alone as a basis for immigration stops. Advocacy groups argue the decision has increased the risk of racial profiling.

Trump has also drawn criticism for inflammatory rhetoric, including comments last month referring to Somali immigrants as “garbage,” echoing language he has used in previous campaigns.

The administration has set ambitious targets: up to 100,000 detentions per day and roughly 1 million deportations annually, far exceeding historical norms.

Spending continues with limited congressional leverage

With Republicans controlling Congress, Democrats have little ability to block or reverse the funding already approved. The law authorizes spending through 2029, effectively locking in the expansion for the remainder of Trump’s term.

Even routine congressional tools, such as government shutdown threats, offer limited leverage because much of the immigration funding is already obligated. According to a person familiar with internal assessments, Homeland Security has committed roughly $58 billion so far, including about $37 billion for border wall construction.

Policy analysts say the structure of the law makes it difficult for future Congresses to impose meaningful constraints without new legislation.

Democrats push for restrictions, not repeal

While impeachment efforts against administration officials have gained little traction, some Democrats are seeking narrower limits on ICE operations. Proposals include banning arrests near hospitals, churches, schools, and courthouses, requiring officers to display identification, and prohibiting the use of face coverings during routine enforcement.

Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona has been among the most vocal critics, arguing that enforcement should focus on serious criminals rather than broad sweeps. Speaking on CNN, he said the current approach undermines public trust in law enforcement.

Congress will soon face another test as it considers the annual Homeland Security funding bill ahead of a Jan. 30 deadline. A group of Democratic senators and House progressives have signaled they may withhold support unless enforcement policies are revised.

Massive investment, mixed results

Despite the scale of spending, the administration has not fully met its stated goals. Homeland Security says it has arrested and deported about 600,000 people since Trump returned to office in January 2025. Officials also report that 1.9 million individuals have left the country voluntarily during the same period.

The department credits the new funding with accelerating recruitment and operations nationwide. In a December statement, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the law had put thousands of additional officers on the ground.

Whether the expanded enforcement ultimately delivers the outcomes Trump promised—or deepens political and legal divisions—remains an open question. What is clear is that the financial and institutional footprint of immigration enforcement in the United States has entered a new phase.